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Apprentice Graduation Celebrating the Class of 2026

2026 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Chair of the Board Steven Kearns James Craft & Son, Inc.

Chair-Elect Ed Engle Smucker Company

1st Vice Chair Jeff Witmer Pathway Business Advisors

2nd Vice Chair Robb Beiler Wohlsen Construction Company

Secretary Aimée Deraco Brubaker

Treasurer Timothy A. Kershner, CPA Walz Group

Immediate Past Chair Guy Kingree, III Benchmark Construction Co., Inc.

2026 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jeff Albright E.R. Stuebner, Inc.

Corbin Beittel Warfel Construction Company

Jeff Bright Offit Kurman

Stephanie Conway Keystruct Construction, A Viocity Company

Kevin Eshleman SLC Excavating, LLC

Michael L. Fiore Leonard S. Fiore, Inc.

Brian Floyd MPB Insurance & Risk Management

Ken Funk Arthur Funk & Sons, Inc.

John H. Hykes, II B&B Integrations

Anthony Leer Leer Electric, Inc.

Michael Metz-Topodas Saul Ewing LLP

Patrick Snyder Peoples Security Bank & Trust

Lee L. Summers, Jr. C Mechanical Services

Kevin VanPelt S&T Bank

Jan L. Wagner Wagman Construction, Inc.

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

RAISING THE STANDARD: SAFETY AS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

BY: STEVEN KEARNS

Ask anyone in construction what their number one priority is, and you'll likely get the same answer: “Safety!” And they mean it. But meaning it and building a culture around it are two very different things.

A culture of safety isn't something you roll out during Construction Safety Week and put back on the shelf in June. It's something you deliberately build, constantly reinforce, and own at every level. From the Board Room to the Field.

What the Numbers Tell Us

Since OSHA was established in 1970, workplace fatalities in construction have dropped by more than 65%. Real progress. But the Focus Four (falls, struck-by incidents, electrocutions, and caught-in/between hazards) still account for the majority of fatalities on job sites. These are largely preventable with proper training, planning, and a workforce that feels empowered to speak up.

And here's something we can't ignore: the risks don't stop at the physical. Construction workers face mental health challenges at rates higher than almost any other industry. A true safety culture supports the whole person. Mental wellness, addiction and total human health are addressed with the same seriousness we bring to PPE and fall protection.

Are You Using the Tools Available to You?

ABC's STEP Safety Management System is one of the most valuable resources available to our members and it's free! STEP helps you benchmark and improve your safety program across Leadership Commitment, Culture, Process, and Results. The average STEP participant is 2.5 times safer than the industry average. Top-tier participants are more than six times safer. If you're not enrolled, why not?

ABC Keystone also offers an extensive safety training catalog: OSHA-10, OSHA-30, First Aid/CPR, Competent Person training, and personalized on-site programs tailored to your team. The resources are there. The question is whether we're taking advantage of them.

And if you haven't registered for the ABC Keystone Safety Summit on May 14 yet, do it today. It's a full day built around exactly this kind of thinking. Register at abckeystone.org/event/safety-summit/

This Is on All of Us

Safety is everyone's responsibility, not just the safety manager or the foreman. Every person on a job site has a role to play. A safety culture only takes root when every voice is heard and every person feels empowered to speak up.

That's the standard. Not compliance. Culture. Get enrolled in STEP, get your team to the Summit, and make sure everyone goes home safe every day.

BUILD YOUR TEAM WITH ABC

Strength Starts With Your Workforce

ABC Keystone helps contractors build skilled, compliant workforces through registered apprenticeship. We provide the guidance and support you need to succeed—now and into the future.

Grow and Develop Your Workforce with ABC Keystone.

Create your own workforce through formalized training.

Increase productivity, safety & profits.

Expand your workers' knowledge base.

To learn more about how ABC Keystone can help build your workforce for today and tomorrow contact Randy Doxzon at randy@abckeystone.org.

FROM THE PRESIDENT-CEO

CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES!

BY: G. DAVID SLOAD

As we enter May, several things come up on the ABC Keystone calendar that we recognize. For the purposes of this article, I want to focus on apprenticeship. The Keystone Chapter started a registered apprenticeship program in 1968. We have held classes every year since then to help our members and advance young talent into the construction industry.

On Thursday, May 21, we will host graduation for the 2026 class, something that Keystone has done every year since 1972. One hundred thirty-three men and women will walk across the stage to earn their completion certificates for finishing the classroom portion of their apprenticeship. That, in addition to completing the required hours of OJL (on the job learning), will grant them their PA Department of Labor & Industry certified journeypersons’ papers. Congratulations to everyone for achieving this goal! This is just the first major milestone in a career path that can lead to many opportunities in the construction industry.

We thank the owners that have supported their team’s growth and applaud them for investing in workforce development. It is said that an employer’s greatest assets are their people and in an industry like construction, without well-trained employees nothing gets done. We encourage you, the employers, to come to graduation and celebrate the accomplishments of these individuals.

The completion of one class means it is time to start thinking about the 2026/2027 school year. Employers, it is time to start re-enrolling returning students and enrolling new students. The 2025/2026 school year saw record numbers of apprentices enter the program. As a result, we needed to add instructors and create additional classroom space.

To ensure we continue to offer a high-level program, we need your help in responding early. For the upcoming school year, we will only take registrations until August 15. This is needed to ensure you and your employees have the full school year schedule in a timely manner. For Keystone, this will ensure we are properly staffed, have classroom space, and have the necessary materials to give each student a rewarding experience. We will start contacting employers who haven’t yet enrolled their team at the beginning of August to ensure they register their team in time for the cutoff.

2026 APPRENTICE GRADUATION

Professional Perspectives ASK AN ACCOUNTANT

BY: CARL ROWITS, CPA, FOR THE TRADES FINANCIAL WELLNESS LLC

THE TOOL VS. THE MECHANIC: A MEMBER’S GUIDE TO THE OBBBA IN Q2

As we move into the second quarter of 2026, our industry faces a unique opportunity. Between Construction Safety Week and the upcoming apprenticeship graduations, May is the month we traditionally focus on the health of our businesses and our people. This year, thanks to the full implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), we have two strategic levers to pull: one that sharpens our "Tools" and one that empowers our "Mechanics."

Sharpening the Tool: Permanent 100% Bonus Depreciation

For the last few years, we watched tax benefits for equipment purchases dwindle. The "scary" reality of that phase-down is over. Under the OBBBA, 100% bonus depreciation is now a permanent fixture for equipment placed in service after January 19, 2025.

Whether you are looking at a new excavator or a fleet upgrade, the math is simple: you can deduct the full purchase price in Year One. When paired with the 2026 Section 179 limit of $2,560,000, this provides the immediate cash flow needed to reinvest in what matters most - your summer project slate and your safety programs.

Empowering the Mechanic: Financial Wellness via Overtime

The biggest hurdle we face isn't just the cost of iron; it’s the shortage of skilled hands. The OBBBA’s "No Tax on Overtime" provision is a game-changer for retention.

For the 2026 tax year, our hourly craft professionals can deduct the "premium" portion (the 0.5 in time-and-ahalf) of their qualified overtime from their federal income tax - up to $12,500 for individuals and $25,000 for joint filers. This is a massive boost to the take-home pay of the "Mechanic" who steps up to keep our projects on schedule.

What we need to do for our teams right now:

• Reporting Precision: 2026 is the first year of strict enforcement. We must use Code “TT” in Box 12 or label Box 14 as “QUAL OT” on W-2s so our employees can claim what they’ve earned.

• Communication: Our guys will still see withholdings on their checks. Highlighting this benefit during May’s safety meetings is a great way to show we are invested in their Total Human Health.

Building Legacies: Trump Accounts and Family Support

While the overtime deduction helps the Mechanic today, the OBBBA also looks toward the next generation. For our team members having children between 2025 and 2028, the federal government is seeding Trump Accounts (Section 530A) with a one-time $1,000 "Baby Bonus."

- Continued

As employers, we can now contribute up to $2,500 per year to an employee’s child's account tax-free for the worker. It is a powerful way to turn a job into a legacy by helping our trade families seed a future retirement fund before the child can even walk.

The Total Human Health Toolkit

We are seeing three often-overlooked provisions move the needle on retention at For The Trades Financial Wellness:

• Student Loan Relief: We can now pay up to $5,250 annually toward an employee’s student loans taxfree. It is the ultimate tool for recruiting younger talent.

• Childcare Relief: The OBBBA raised the Dependent Care FSA limit to $7,500. This allows our working parents to use pre-tax dollars for daycare, keeping more of their hard-earned money.

• Emergency Buffers: New rules allow for Linked Emergency Savings Accounts (LESAs). Helping our crew build a $2,500 "rainy day" fund ensures that a flat tire doesn’t become a financial crisis that distracts them on the job site.

The Bottom Line

The merit shop philosophy has always been about rewarding the most qualified and hard-working. By maximizing 100% depreciation (The Tool) and educating our workforce on these new wellness provisions (The Mechanic), we are building a competitive advantage. When the Tool and the Mechanic are both firing on all cylinders, there is no limit to what our firms can achieve.

www.forthetradesfinancialwellness.com

Program Update APPRENTICESHIP

Building a Stronger Workforce: ABC Keystone Updates Apprenticeship Process

By: Cindy DeWire, ABC Keystone, Director of Apprenticeship

ABC Keystone’s registered apprenticeship program has completed its 58th year of classes. Over the years we’ve made some changes as we grow our program. For school year 2026-2027, we are making additional changes that are intended to ensure our students are set up to succeed.

As you may be aware, ABC Keystone has articulation agreements in place with many career and technical centers, institutes of higher education, high schools and community-based organizations. Those agreements provide a fast track into our registered apprenticeship program for students who complete classes that align with our trade curricula.

ABC Keystone will not assume, based on articulation agreement language alone, that an applicant starts at a particular trade level. Beginning in school year 20262027:

• ABC Keystone must have transcripts from applicants prior to placement testing to ensure the applicant meets the terms of the articulation agreement;

• Placement testing will be required for all applicants, including those who fall under an articulation agreement. There will be no fee for applicants under an articulation agreement. A fee is still in place for applicants who do not fall under an articulation agreement.

• After placement testing, employers will receive the test results and will have the final decision on placement into a trade level.

• Applicants will be scheduled for an interview with their trade instructor in June/July.

These changes will be reflected in the Apprentice and Employer handbooks.

Enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year is open and closes August 15. Register and pay tuition by June 30, 2026, and receive a 3% discount on tuition.

QUESTIONS?

Contact Cindy DeWire, Director of Apprenticeship cindyd@abckeystone.org.

TELUS HEALTH EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

A Stand Alone Eap Built for Construction Workforces.

Construction teams face higher mental health risk than the national average. That impacts safety, attendance, and productivity. Support your employees on and off the jobsite with this construction specific employee assistance program sponsored by ABC Insurance Trust.

WHY THIS STANDS OUT:

• A standalone EAP, not an add-on inside a medical plan.

• Covers all employees, even if they are not on your health plan.

• Not tied to your medical carrier or enrollment.

SUPPORT INCLUDES:

24/7 CRISIS INTERVENTION AND CRITICAL INCIDENT SUPPORT.

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION.

FINANCIAL COUNSELING AND LEGAL CONSULTATIONS.

• Live calls answered by a masters level mental health clinician

• 24/7 instant chat, plus phone, video, and in person options.

FAST ACCESS FOR EMPLOYEES: COST;

• ONLY $3.50 per employee, each month.

SUBSTANCE USE COUNSELING.

Committee Update TECHNOLOGY

Are you prepared for AI?

By: Scott Gross, Business Development, GDC IT Solutions

AI is becoming a real factor in how work gets done across the construction industry, but builders and contractors are entering this shift at very different speeds. Some crews are just starting to experiment, others are already using AI-powered tools daily, and many are somewhere in between. No matter where a company stands, the smartest move is to start with a clear picture of its operation. Simple steps like surveying your team, reviewing market trends, and putting your project and financial data to work can uncover opportunities—whether that’s predicting revenue more accurately or giving customers a more personalized experience during bids and project updates.

Strong foundations matter in construction, and the same is true for AI. Clear processes, clean and structured data, and solid compliance practices are the “footers” that keep everything stable as you scale. Each part of the organization plays a role: Leadership

plans the approach, HR sets expectations and boundaries, IT can lock down security and monitoring, and employees receive the training they need to use these tools safely and confidently.

For beginners, the first steps should focus on human-AI collaboration—not replacing people but giving them better tools. Choosing one enterprise-wide AI platform prevents the chaos of everyone using different apps on different devices. Establishing an approved list of personal, business, and jobsite-safe tools keeps things secure and consistent. And just like a fabrication shop that has a safe area for testing new equipment, companies should create a controlled space where teams can experiment with AI without risking data or operations.

The construction industry thrives on efficiency, predictability, and craftsmanship. AI can support all three—but only when the groundwork is done right. As you think about your own organization, what part of this foundation do you feel is strongest today, and which area needs the most attention?

10 21 26

Understanding and Addressing Substance Use Disorders in the Workplace

Substance use and mental health challenges can impact employee safety, productivity, and overall workplace culture. In this seminar attendees will gain practical knowledge and tools to recognize potential concerns, respond appropriately, and foster a supportive work environment that encourages employees to seek help while maintaining workplace safety and accountability.

• Identify signs of impairment and substance use

• Understand the substance use spectrum

• Reduce stigma and encourage support-seeking

• Implement balanced safety-focused policies

• Leverage EAPs and peer support resources

• Foster a recovery-friendly workplace

Learn more at ABCKEYSTONE.ORG.

FREE Member Seminar

Upcoming Dates:

May 7 | 8:00 am - 9:00 am

June 4 | 8:00 am - 9:00 am

July 9 | 8:00 am - 9:00 am

August 6 | 8:00 am - 9:00 am

ADVOCACY UPDATE

OUTDATED PENNSYLVANIA APPRENTICESHIP AND TRAINING ACT SUFFOCATES THE TRADES

By: Representative Barb Gleim, 199th Legislative District

Time is of the essence to amend the current 1963 Apprenticeship and Training Act in Pennsylvania, or risk our state continuing its downward spiral of business migration. Our state is the only one in the nation with two apprenticeship standards, and it’s causing a bottleneck in the trades of epic proportions. 34 Pa.Code 83.5(b)(7) allows union apprenticeship programs to set their own ratio requirements in collective bargaining agreements. In contrast, non-union programs must adhere to specific ratio standards for journeyman-to-apprentice ratios, requiring that a business hire 4 journeyman for every 1 apprentice (4:1 ratio).

Now consider that, according to U.S. Labor Statistics, 90% of the Pennsylvania workforce is non-union, yet this workforce has the most stringent ratio application in the nation. Since 2019, Pennsylvania has lost over 1,500 apprenticeship programs – another statistic that does not bode well for the state as it attempts to become the energy powerhouse of the East Coast. In a letter dated June 20, 2025, ABC Keystone, along with the Independent Electric Contractors, petitioned

the Secretary of Labor & Industry to change the current regulations. Secretary Walker’s response was a request to resubmit the petition with supporting legal authority, and to remind the petitioners that the administration has committed to increasing funding for apprenticeships. This cat-and-mouse game has been going on far too long, at the expense of the next generation of tradesmen and women, and the future of business growth in Pennsylvania.

Thankfully, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration System released a Circular on March 9 of this year to provide guidance to address the duties of State Apprenticeship Councils (SAC) and to, “provide greater clarity surrounding the scope of regulatory permissible functions and duties,” with the ultimate aim of improved access to in-demand training programs, grow America’s talent supply, and aid the industrialized agenda outlined in President Trump’s “America’s Talent Strategy.” Good, because our SAC needs guidance.

I, along with many colleagues and businesses, have fought for six years to change the outdated apprenticeship law through HB 677, which provides parity between union and non-union apprenticeship programs, and the administration has, for six years, favored the ten percent over the 90 percent, to our state’s detriment. Businesses need to recruit and train the workers they need to grow and flourish, and this outdated regulation suffocates future talent.

Stay informed on the latest legislation impacting merit shop policies and the construction industry. With realtime updates and easy access to key issues, you’ll always know what’s happening at the state and federal levels.

2026 Verified STEP Participants

Arthur Funk & Sons, Inc.

Assurance Media, LLC

B&B Integrations

Benchmark Construction Co., Inc.

Brubaker

C.M. High, Inc.

CB Construction Services, Inc.

CCS Building Group

Clark Contractors, Inc.

CLARK, Inc.

James Craft & Son, Inc.

D.E. Gemmill, Inc.

DenTech Industrial

DeRock Electric Company

E.R. Stuebner, Inc.

EA Roofing Co.

As verified by ABC National as of May 2026

EG Stoltzfus Construction, LLC

Flyway Excavating, Inc.

Gorski Engineering, Inc.

Hayden Power Group

High Construction Company

Hursh Painting Co., Inc.

J.F. Sobieski Mechanical Contractors, Inc.

JEM Group, LLC

John E. Fullerton, Inc.

Johnston Construction Company

Kessel Construction, Inc.

Keystruct Construction, A Viocity Company

Lancaster County Timber Frames, Inc.

Lebanon Valley Electric, Inc.

Leer Electric, Inc.

Leo Kob Co., Inc.

Leonard S. Fiore, Inc.

LEW Site Construction, LLC

M. Potteiger, Inc.

MVE Group

Myco Mechanical

Pincus Elevator Company, Inc.

Poole Anderson Construction, LLC

Quality Buildings, LLC

Quandel Enterprises, LLC

S&S Structures, Inc.

Scenic Ridge Company

Schlouch Incorporated

Smucker Company

Tabora Painting, LLC

The Tri-M Group, LLC

The Witmer Group

Wagman Construction, Inc.

Warfel Construction Company

Wickersham Construction and Engineering, Inc.

Wohlsen Construction Company

Zartman Construction, Inc.

Zebby Sulecki, Inc.

Zook Interiors, LLC

MAY JUNE

EVENTS, COURSES & TRAINING

5/6 Successfully Navigating Change Part of the Professional Development Series

5/7 Hiring Fair

ABC Keystone Office, Manheim, PA

5/7 VitalCog: Understanding and Addressing Substance Use Disorders in the Workplace

EVENTS, COURSES & TRAINING MEMBER SEMINAR TO ATTEND

5/12 Developing High Trust Teams Part of the Leadership Development Series

5/14 Safety Summit Presented by:

Cohen Seglias Pallas Greenhall & Furman PC

ABC Keystone Office, Manheim, PA

5/16 Hike for Hope Memorial Lake State Park, Grantville, PA

5/19 Leading a Multigenerational Workforce Part of the Leadership 2.0 Series

5/20 Job Descriptions, HR Record Keeping and Reporting Part of the Human Resources Management Academy

Starts 5/20

OSHA 10-Hour Construction

5/21 VitalCog: Suicide Prevention in the Workplace

5/21 ABC Keystone’s Apprenticeship Graduation & Craft Professional of the Year Ceremony Presented by: Milwaukee Tool WellSpan Park, York, PA

5/26 First Aid/CPR/AED with Emergency Care & Safety Institute Certification

6/2 Understanding Financials for Non-Accountants Part of the Leadership Development Series

6/3 Conflict Management Part of the Professional Development Series

6/3 Project Compliance & Outside Organizations Part of the Construction 101 Series

6/4 Southeast Region Golf Outing Iron Valley Golf Club, Lebanon, PA

6/4 VitalCog: Understanding and Addressing Substance Use Disorders in the Workplace

6/5 ABC Keystone Night at Williams Grove Speedway Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA

6/8 - 6/11

All ’bout Construction Girls Camp Presented by Benchmark Construction Co., Inc. Manheim, PA

6/17 Effective Recruiting & Hiring Part of the Human Resources Management Academy

6/18 VitalCog: Suicide Prevention in the Workplace

Starts 6/23

Medical Gas and Vacuum Piping Systems: Installers Certification Course ASSE 6010

6/25 North Region Golf Outing Mountain View Country Club, Boalsburg PA

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

A&M Electric, LLC

Abbas Hameed, Owner 1684 West Main Street Ephrata, PA 17522 (717) 961-8575

www.aandmelectricllc.com

Ruppert Landscape, Inc.

Ryan D'Agostino, Business Development Manager 110 Maple Drive Centre Hall, PA 16828 (814) 364-2220

www.ruppertlandscape.com

Shumaker PDT

Jason Konopinski

Marketing & Business Engagement Manager 240 Harrisburg Avenue Lancaster, PA 17603 (717) 735-0767

www.shumakerpdt.com

MERIT SHOP PROUD

FLAGGER FORCE PRESIDENT & CEO, MIKE DONER, NAMED TO RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS INITIATIVE FOR JUSTICE’S ADVISORY COUNCIL

Flagger Force, an industry-leading, Safety-Driven®, short-term traffic control company headquartered in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, with operations across the East Coast and Midwest, announces their President and CEO, Mike Doner, has been appointed to the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice’s (RBIJ) Advisory Council. RBIJ is an international nonprofit that partners with companies to promote criminal justice reform, advocate for fairer workforce policies, and adopt inclusive hiring practices for justice-impacted job seekers.

As a member of the Advisory Council, Doner will provide RBIJ advice on the organization’s strategies and priorities by offering suggestions for new areas of work, actively participating in Council meetings, and promoting the work of RBIJ.

“I’m honored to join the Advisory Council for the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on hiring individuals who were ready and willing to deliver their best, regardless

of their past. I believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. Businesses have an important role to play in breaking down barriers to employment, empowering justice-impacted individuals, and restoring communities,” said Mike Doner, President and CEO of Flagger Force.

Doner will serve a voluntary two-year term on the Council alongside other champion business leaders, including those with personal experience in the justice system and those who share a commitment to creating a more inclusive workforce.

“We are honored to welcome Mike Doner into closer partnership with RBIJ through his leadership on our Advisory Council,” said RBIJ CEO Maha Jweied. “Mike’s commitment to removing workforce barriers for individuals impacted by the justice system—both by speaking up for commonsense policy fixes and opening Flagger Force’s doors to employing second chance talent—is praiseworthy. Flagger Force truly models what it means to be a responsible business for justice.”

“As a fair-chance employer and advocate for criminal justice reform, I’ve witnessed how access to opportunities can transform lives. I look forward to collaborating with fellow Council members to advance initiatives that create pathways to employment, support personal growth, and strengthen communities,” added Doner.

For inclusion in future issues of the Merit Shop Spokesman, please send your press releases to: Rebecca Wolf | rebecca@abckeystone.org (717) 653-8106

TRI-M WELCOMES NORM ATWOOD AS CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

The Tri-M Group, LLC, announced that Norm Atwood has joined the company as Chief Operations Officer, bringing more than two decades of leadership experience in the electrical utility, construction, and energy infrastructure industries.

Norm’s background in the trades began early, growing up in Iowa among a multigenerational family of electrical professionals. He gained hands-on experience working on his family’s farm and construction business. He later served in the U.S. Air Force as an Offensive Avionics Technician, further strengthening his technical foundation.

Atwood’s career spans extensive work in electrical construction, transmission and distribution, engineering, fiber, and renewable energy—including both wind and solar. He has successfully led large teams and complex operations, partnering with utilities, municipalities, engineering groups, and developers to deliver major infrastructure initiatives focused on safety, reliability, culture, and performance.

A licensed Professional Engineer, Atwood holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Iowa State University.

Ron Bauguess, President and CEO, stated, “Norm’s blend of operational expertise and strategic leadership will support Tri-M’s continued growth and innovation across the region. He’s committed to building strong teams and delivering forward-thinking solutions, and we look forward to the experience and leadership he will bring to Tri-M.”